The Fall Prevention Center of Excellence at the University of Southern California is one of the top authorities on falls in the elderly population. The group spends their efforts helping those at risk to avoid falls of any kind. Therefore, they target those who are suffering from muscle weakness, arthritis, a history of falling, depression, difficulty balancing or walking, difficulty thinking or vision problems as well as those who take multiple medications. According to the group’s “Catch Yourself: Simple Steps to Prevent Falls” brochure, the following suggestions should help you or aging loved ones stay on their own two feet:
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Archives for elderly
Let Freedom Home Care help during your next out-patient procedure
No matter a person’s age, surgery can truly take a toll. But for older individuals, recovery can be even more difficult, which is why many out-patient procedures are a good choice for seniors. Because they do not require an overnight stay in a hospital and because they are often more affordable, many seniors are relieved when an out-patient procedure is an option. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the process is simple. Often times, there are pre-procedure plans that must be implemented properly – and independently – by a patient. Travel to and from the appointment can sometimes be a
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5 tips to downsize, de-clutter and de-complicate life
Yesterday, the folks here at Freedom Home Care put the aging loved ones in our lives in a downsizing frame of mind. We highlighted a Wall Street Journal editor who is gung ho for de-cluttering and de-complicating her life. By freeing oneself of an oversized residence, elderly individuals can take back their free time and enjoy retirement all that much more. And while we admitted in our post that moving into a smaller space is easier said that done, we also promised that we would provide a few tips to make the transition a smooth one. To carry out that
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Spreading awareness about glaucoma
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, approximately 2.7 million Americans have glaucoma and more are being diagnosed every day. By 2030, the number may rise to as high as 4.2 million. And the condition is by no means exclusive to those in the United States. Worldwide, there are currently 60 million individuals afflicted with the condition. “Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it,” reports the GRF. “Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World
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Elderly Americans considered winners in fiscal cliff deal
In the 11th hour, Republicans and Democrats found common ground, keeping the U.S. economy from tumbling over the fiscal cliff. That doesn’t mean, however, that everyone is happy about the outcome. Many consider the deal a losing battle, although, according to the Huffington Post, America’s elderly aren’t part of that contingency. They can be considered among the winners of the fiscal cliff deal, which also includes rich individuals, the unemployed and doctors. “As recently as yesterday morning, it was taken for granted that one of the major provisions of an alternative to the fiscal cliff would be cuts in the
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Overcoming the great digital divide
It’s not uncommon for the elderly loved ones in our lives to feel frustrated with today’s technology. After all, much of the new devices and tech tools seem to be geared more toward the younger generations. “What’s developing is a digital divide,” said Ken Dychtwald in a recent NY Times article. “New technologies are largely oriented to people under the age of 50. If you’re older than that, you have to muster the courage to ask your family how things work.” Dychtwald is the chief executive of Age Wave, a research and consulting organization that focuses on population aging, and
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Finding balance through tai chi
The Chinese have long been known for their unique way of living, which has produced some of the healthiest yet oldest individuals on the planet. It is a way of life that combines both body and mind. And at the heart of it lies tai chi, an ancient martial art that has been practiced for centuries for both its defense purposes as well as its health benefits. “Deeply rooted in Chinese meditation, medicine, and martial arts, tai chi (pronounced ”tie chee”) combines mental concentration with slow, controlled movements to focus the mind, challenge the body, and improve the flow of
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